Card games utilizing a novel shuffle and dealing methodology

Abstract

A monitor screen is provided on which card symbols may be provided for use in a video poker game. In the video poker game, the player makes a wager. A predetermined number of initial cards are dealt from a set of cards to form an initial array of cards. The cards are randomly dealt either face up or face down. The player selects one group of cards to hold, the card(s) selected being displayed face up into the final hand area. The player then selects at least a second group of cards from the initial array that are displayed face up in the final hand area. After a predetermined number of cards are selected, the final hand may be considered complete, or may be completed by cards drawn from the remainder of the deck. The outcome for this final hand is evaluated according to a predetermined paytable.

1 . A method of playing a video poker game comprising:
 a player placing a wager on the video poker game to play at least one player hand comprising a predetermined number of cards;   displaying a set of playing card symbols from a complete set of playing cards comprising a predetermined number of displayed playing cards randomly placed face up or face down according to a predetermined probability;   arranging the displayed set of playing card symbols in at least two groups of at least one card each;   the player selecting at least a first group to be displayed face up into a player hand area until the number of cards in the player hand area is a predetermined number of cards;   dealing additional cards from the remainder of the complete set of playing cards to the player hand to complete the player hand if the predetermined number of cards in the player hand area is less then the predetermined number of cards in the player hand;   determining a final player's hand;   determining if the player's hand comprises a win according to a predetermined paytable;   providing a win to the player based on the determination.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the number of cards in each group is equal. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the number of cards in each group is not equal. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the player is permitted to select a probability from a set of probabilities that any card be dealt face up. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the remainder of the deck may or may not include unselected cards in the displayed groups of cards. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the player selects a group of cards by depressing a physical button or touchscreen button and then secondarily requiring locking the selection by an alternate button input. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the player selects a group of cards by depressing a physical button or touchscreen button without the requirement of a second “locking” step. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein if specific cards or specific card ranks are disclosed in at least one of dealer's hands and players' hands, players or dealers must turn additional cards over for view at the table.